Socket caddy

ABSTRACT

A socket caddy comprising either a vertical panel with pins holding sockets by way of the force of gravity, without friction with the pins. A base comprising a shallow storage box provides storage for socket ratchets and socket ratchet extensions.

This is a divisional application of the application Ser. No. 12/823,349 filed on Jun. 25, 2010, Art unit 3728, by Henry E. Solowiej, and the Applicant hereby claims the benefit of said Application under 35 U.S.C. 121 and/or 365(c).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a socket caddy holding sockets and socket ratchets for use by mechanics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sockets and socket ratchets are widely used in various repairs, particularly in auto repairs. An auto mechanic would position himself under a vehicle and then reach for a toolbox in order to retrieve a socket ratchet or a socket to perform the repairs. This often has to be done “on the fly”, while using only one hand and while the hand is greasy. After use, a particular socket needs to be placed back for storage or replaced with a different socket, also “on the fly”, while using only one hand and while the hand is greasy. Most mechanics lack time or discipline to return a socket to a particular predetermined location and tend to just drop it into a tool box. Accordingly, there is a need to have a socket caddy providing easy and convenient access to sockets and socket ratchets, permitting removing and replacing sockets with one hand, quickly and with minimal effort. Further, an open view storage allows the user to determine whether there are any missing sockets at a glance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The socket caddy according to this invention satisfies this need. According to this invention, a vertical panel, atop a base comprising storage, comprises pins extending at a substantially forty five degree angle to the base. Sockets are hung on the pins without the use of the force of friction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows perspective and elevational views of the socket caddy according to this invention.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention will be better understood with the reference to the drawing figures FIGS. 1 and 2. The same numerals refer to the same elements in all drawing figures.

Viewing FIG. 1, numeral 10 indicates a base. Base 10 comprises a rectangular bottom panel with unequal dimensions and a longitudinal axis. In the preferred embodiment described in reference to FIG. 1, base 10 further comprises base walls indicated by numeral 10 a. Base walls 10 a and the rectangular bottom panel of base 10 form a shallow box for storing socket ratchets and socket ratchet extensions indicated by numeral 80.

Numeral 20 indicates a vertical panel. Vertical panel 20 is fixedly attached to the rectangular bottom panel of base 10 along the longitudinal axis. Vertical panel 20 comprises a first and second faces indicated, respectively, by numerals 20 a and 20 b.

Numeral 30 indicates pins. A plurality of pins 30 extend from first face 20 a and second face 120 b at a predetermined angle indicated by numeral 60. Angle 60 is shown to be forty-five degrees with respect to the rectangular bottom panel of base 10.

Numeral 70 indicates sockets. Pins 30 slidably and removably retain sockets 70 in a frictionless hanging arrangement by way of the force of gravity, permitting. sockets 70 to be removed with one hand. To accomplish such frictionless hanging arrangement of pins 30, angle 60 must be between zero and eighty degrees with respect to the rectangular bottom panel of base 10. The objective of this invention is to provide effortless and quick removal and replacement of sockets 70 with one hand. Angles 60 smaller than zero degrees would cause sockets 70 to fall off of pins 30. Angles 60 larger than eighty degrees would make removal and replacement of sockets 70 difficult.

Numeral 40 indicates a handle. Handle 40 is disposed on a top portion of vertical panel 20.

In the preferred embodiment described in reference to FIG. 1, base 10, vertical panel 20 and pins 30 are fabricated from a durable plastic material by way of injection molding. In other embodiments, base 10, vertical panel 20 and pins 40 may be fabricated from rigid metal, such as steel or aluminum, or wood.

Numeral 50 indicates an indicia selected from the group consisting of standard and metric. Indicia 50 is disposed on first face 20 a and second face 20 b, such that if first face 20 a comprises indicia “STANDARD”, as shown in FIG. 1, second face 20 b would comprise indicia “METRIC”. Standard and metric sockets are placed on either first face 20 a or second face 20 b accordingly.

In the embodiments described in reference to FIG. 1, pins 30 are not removable but are fabricated from a unitary piece of material with vertical panel 20. This can be accomplished, for example, by injection molding. It may be desirable to reduce manufacturing cost of the socket caddy according to this invention by having pins 30 removable, such that the user assembles the socket caddy himself by inserting pins 30 into vertical panel 20. FIG. 2 describes such removable pins 30 inserted into vertical panel 20. Specifically, vertical panel 12 further comprises a plurality of openings indicated by numeral 30 b. Openings 30 b receive and removably retain pins 30. Pins 30 are frictionally press fit into openings 30 b by the end user. This can be accomplished by way of a hammer.

The embodiment described in reference to FIG. 2 shows pin 30 as having a taper indicated by numeral 30 a. Taper 30 a is disposed on the end of pin 30 inserted into opening 30 b. In this case, the diameter of opening 30 b is slightly larger than the diameter of taper 30 a, allowing for press fitting of taper 50 a into opening 50 b. In other embodiments, pins 30 do not have tapers 30 a, in which case openings 30 b have diameters slightly larger than that of pins 30 for press fitting pins 30 into openings 30 b.

While the present invention has been described and defined by references to the preferred embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply limitations on the invention, and no such limitations are to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled and knowledgeable in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects. 

1. A socket caddy comprising: a base comprising a rectangular bottom panel with unequal dimensions and a longitudinal axis; a vertical panel comprising a first and second faces, the vertical panel fixedly attached to the rectangular bottom panel along the longitudinal axis; a plurality of pins extending from the first and second faces at a predetermined angle between zero and eighty degrees with respect to said rectangular bottom panel, wherein the pins are for slidably and removably retaining sockets in a frictionless hanging arrangement by way of the force of gravity, permitting sockets to be removed with one hand.
 2. A socket caddy as in claim 1 wherein the base further comprising base walls, said base walls and the rectangular bottom panel forming a shallow box for storing socket ratchets and socket ratchet extensions.
 3. A socket caddy as in claim 2 wherein the vertical panel further comprising a handle disposed on a top portion of the vertical panel.
 11. A socket caddy as in claim 9, wherein the predetermined angle between zero and ninety degrees is forty-five degrees.
 12. A socket caddy as in claim 10, wherein the base, vertical panel and pins are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of durable plastic and rigid metal.
 13. A socket caddy as in claim 11, wherein the first and second faces further comprise indicia selected from the group consisting of standard and metric.
 14. A socket caddy as in claim 13, wherein the first and second panels further comprise a plurality of openings receiving and removably retaining the pins, the pins being frictionally press fit into the openings. 